The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) has unveiled the nominees for its prestigious 2024 ceremony, with Uche Okocha’s film The Weekend leading the nominations with an impressive 16 nods. Following closely is Jagun Jagun, directed by Femi Adebayo, which received seven nominations.
The AMAA ceremony is set to take place on November 2 in Lagos, in collaboration with the Lagos State government, marking its 20th edition under the theme “Celebrating African Creativity.” This milestone event will honor the best in African cinema and highlight the continent’s rich storytelling traditions.
Full List of Nominees:
1. Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film:
• The Last Shoe Maker – Uganda
• Seben – Mali
• Dear Future Wife – South Africa
• Isolated – Nigeria
• Jolie – Angola
• Strike A Blow And Die – Malawi
• Don’t Call Me Beautiful – Ghana
• Sins Of A Father – Zimbabwe/USA
2. Jubril Malaifia Award for Best Animation:
• Heavy Crown – Libya
• Counterpunch – Kenya
• Journey of the Legend – Cameroon
• Hadu – Nigeria
• Between Paya and Koulou – Senegal
• Oya (The Goddess of Gods) – Nigeria
• Set Pieces – Sudan
3. Best Documentary:
• A Quand L’Afrique – Congo Brazzaville
• The Night Still Smells of Gun Powder – Mozambique
• The Return Train – Mali
• Gateway To Dreams – Cameroon
• Rainbow Nation – South Africa
• Dela: The Making of EL-Anatsui – Nigeria
• Donga – Libya
• Rising Up At Night – DRC
4. Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language:
• Makula – Uganda
• Jagun Jagun – Nigeria
• The Queenstown Kings – South Africa
• Kaka – Nigeria
• Eskhalemi Sikantombella – South Africa
• Unheard – Uganda
• Out of Breath – Nigeria
5. Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award for Best Film by an African-born Director Living Abroad:
• Out Of Breath – Nigeria/UK
• Orah – Nigeria/Canada
• Isolated – Nigeria/UK
• Under The Hanging Tree – Namibia/UK
• Kipkemboi – Nigeria/Canada
6. Best Diaspora Short Film:
• The Neighbourhood Alert—USA
• Bottled Up – Jamaica
• The Golden Boy—USA
7. Best Diaspora Documentary:
• The Wu Tang Clan: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre – USA
• A Rising Tide – USA
• Colour – USA
8. Best Diaspora Narrative Feature:
• Outlaw Posse – USA
• Mickey Hardaway – USA
• Love After Holidays – USA
9. Best Achievement in Production Design:
• Orah
• The Queenstown Kings
• The Weekend
• Jagun Jagun
• Kipkemboi
• Makula
• Out of Breath
10. Best Achievement in Costume Design:
• The Beads
• The Weekend
• White and Black
• Jagun Jagun
• The Queenstown Kings
• Mai Martaba
• Out of Breath
11. Best Achievement in Make-Up:
• The Weekend
• Nawi
• Letters to Goddo
• Out of Breath
• Jagun Jagun
• Anjola
• White and Black
12. Best Achievement in Soundtrack:
• The Weekend
• Under the Hanging Tree
• The Queenstown Kings
• Orah
• Boda Love
• Mojisola
• Red Carpet
13. Best Achievement in Visual Effects:
• Kipkemboi
• Jagun Jagun
• Under The Hanging Tree
• The Weekend
• Bokwagter
• Out of Breath
14. Best Achievement in Sound:
• A Smile, A Wink and a Tear
• The Weekend
• Under the Hanging Tree
• The Queenstown Kings
• This is Lagos
• Kipkemboi
• Boda Love
15. Best Achievement in Cinematography:
• The Weekend
• Nawi
• Kipkemboi
• Letters to Goddo
• This is Lagos
• The Queenstown Kings
• A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
16. Best Achievement in Editing:
• Under The Hanging Tree
• The Weekend
• This is Lagos
• Nawi
• Kipkemboi
• The Beads
• Anjola
17. Best Achievement in Screenplay:
• Under The Hanging Tree
• The Weekend
• Letter To Goddo
• This is Lagos
• Boda Love
• The Queenstown Kings
• Out of Breath
18. National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVB) Award for Best Nigerian Film:
• The Weekend
• This is Lagos
• Afamefuna
• Jagun Jagun
• Mai Martaba
• A Smile, A Wink and a Tear
• Out of Breath
19. Best Young/Promising Actor:
• Michell Lemuya (Nawi)
• Likhona Mgali (The Queenstown Kings)
• Agape Mngomezulu (Orah)
• William Dias (Bokwagter)
• Kofi Adu-Gyamfi (Tejiri)
• Ruby Akubueze (She)
• Fatima Muhammed (Mai Martaba)
20. Best Actor in a Supporting Role:
• Sandile Mahlangu (The Queenstown Kings)
• Ochungo Benson (Nawi)
• Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey (The Weekend)
• Ikechukwu Onunaku (Afamefuna)
• Lucky Ejim (Orah)
• Solomon Fixon Owoo (Letters to Goddo)
• Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun)
21. Best Actress in a Supporting Role:
• Meg Otanwa (The Weekend)
• Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa (The Queenstown Kings)
• Elsie Chidera Abang (Kipkemboi)
• Tessa Twala (The Queenstown Kings)
• Bukunmi Oluwashina (White and Black)
• Somkele Iyamah-Idhalamah (Orah)
• Chioma Akpotha (Mojisola)
22. Best Actor in a Leading Role:
• Zolixa Xaluva (The Queenstown Kings)
• Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos)
• Duncan Murunyu Mungai (Boda Love)
• Nenesenor Abloso (Letters to Goddo)
• Bucci Franklyn (The Weekend)
• Femi Jacobs (Anjola)
• Chidi Mokeme (Out of Breath)
23. Best Actress in a Leading Role:
• Girley Jazama (Under The Hanging Tree)
• Oyin Oladejo (Orah)
• Unati Faku (The Queenstown Kings)
• Uzoamaka Aniunoh (The Weekend)
• Laura Pepple (This is Lagos)
• Jackie Appiah (Red Carpet)
• Efe Irele (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)
24. First Debut Feature by a Director:
• Letters to Goddo – Harry Bentil
• Rising Up At Night – Nelson Makengo
• She – Seun Richards
25. Best Director:
• Daniel Emeke Oriahi (The Weekend)
• Kenneth Gyang (This Is Lagos)
• Jahmil X.T Qubeka (The Queenstown Kings)
• Perivi Katjavivi (Under the Hanging Tree)
• Lonzo Nzekwe (Orah)
• Harry Bentil (Letters To Goddo)
• Izu Ojukwu (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)
26. Best Film:
• Under The Hanging Tree
• The Weekend
• This is Lagos
• A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
• Orah
• Letters to Goddo
• The Queenstown Kings
The Africa Movie Academy Awards, organized by the Africa Film Academy, is recognized as the premier accolade in African cinema, promoting excellence in filmmaking and celebrating the contributions of industry professionals. As the ceremony approaches, excitement builds around the recognition of talent and creativity across the continent.
